Empowering and mentoring our youths

Focus Area 3

Our youth play a key role in the future of Singapore, and in our Malay/Muslim community. We therefore endeavour to prepare our youth for what lies ahead, developing their strengths and capabilities through mentoring programmes that widen opportunities for various education and career pathways.

Apart from providing our youth with resources, schemes and training programmes, mentoring is an equally important component of their development. Connecting our youth with mentors and role models in the community helps guide and inspire them to realise their potential.

Through our mentoring programmes, we aim to develop a vibrant Malay/Muslim youth core, who are motivated to pay it forward and give back to the community.

This focus area is led by Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Health. She is supported by Dr. Syed Harun, Member of Parliament (MP) Nee Soon GRC*.

For more information on how to become a Youth Mentor, click here.

*He will be appointed as Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and National Development on 1 October 2025.

Youth Mentoring Office (YMO)

The Youth Mentoring Office (YMO) was set up within MENDAKI in August 2019, to spearhead mentoring efforts in the Malay/Muslim community. It aims to build a strong mentoring culture and ecosystem, where youth are connected and actively contributing to the vision of a Community of Success. This is achieved by adopting and contextualising the Gift-Centred Mentoring (GCM) philosophy, a trademarked and evidence-based mentoring model from the Youth Mentoring Connection (YMC) based in Los Angeles, USA, to enhance and build the competency of the community.

For any questions seeking enquiries to the Youth Mentoring Office, please email ymo@mendaki.org.sg.

Gift-Centred Mentor Training

YMO uses the GCM approach to build and enhance the capabilities and competencies of our volunteer mentors and programme managers. Through the GCM training, mentors will be equipped with skills to build successful relationships with their mentees.

YMO provides continued support to trained mentors through sharing of resources and Community of Practice (COP) sessions.

COP encourages deep learning and exchange of best practices amongst seasoned and new mentors. It also focuses on specific mentor challenges such as rapport building, goal setting, and working well with different personalities amongst other topics. Click here to view past COP sessions.

Mentor Manual

YMO has produced a comprehensive manual titled ‘The Gift of Mentoring: A Guide for Mentors’ to guide mentors in their mentoring journey. The manual complements the GCM training that mentors undergo before deployment. Through the use of infographics and videos, the manual provides information on the GCM philosophy, tips to engage and build rapport with mentees, and shares available resources that mentors can tap on to guide their mentees.

Click here to download the mentor manual. [PDF, 4.2MB]

#amPowered@ITE

This 9-month programme targets full-time Muslim students across the three ITE colleges. Through mentoring and community-building initiatives such as teambuilding, motivational talks, sharing sessions and developmental workshops, the programme motivates students to towards graduation with at least a NITEC qualification. Click here to find out more about #amPowered@ITE.

To register as a mentor for #amPowered@ITE, click here.

#amPowered@MTS

This programme caters to Secondary 3 to 5 students in the MENDAKI Tuition Programme. As part of the programme, students benefit from community-building activities (e.g. team bonding, motivational talks, sharing sessions) and are linked up with professionals to help them envision their post-secondary pathways.

To register as a mentor for #amPowered@MTS, click here.

#amPowered@M³Towns

In collaboration with People’s Association (PA), the programme targets Secondary 3, 4 and 5 students staying within the M³@Towns. This is part of our effort to make mentoring accessible to more youth.

In addition to community-building activities, students will participate in community work and learning journeys to companies to help them envision their post-secondary pathways. Students will also be exposed to national initiatives to enhance their portfolios and future ready skills.

For further enquiries or interest to partner the M³Towns to kickstart a mentoring programme, please email ymo@mendaki.org.sg.

PEER Community Programme

Led by MENDAKI Club, PEER (Positive Experiences, Engaging Relationships) Community Programme targets Secondary 1 to 5 students from M³@Tampines and M³@Woodlands. The 6-month mentoring programme incorporates elements of experiential learning and developmental relationships, facilitated by mentors.

To find out more about PEER Community Programme, click here.

MARA Mentoring

Led by MENDAKI Club, MARA Mentoring is catered for undergraduates who are keen to join a community of professionals, building connections with those in the finance and consulting, marketing, technology, sales and operations industries, among others.

To find out more about MARA Mentoring, click here.

Project Pathfinder

A ground-up volunteer-led initiative for students from ITE College East, students are paired with mentors who will inculcate positive values such as discipline and resilience. Students will also participate in group mentoring and community building initiatives that aim to promote team bonding and instill leadership qualities.

M³ Resource Directory

The M3 Resource Directory is a driectory for youths and youth-related organisations on mentoring opportunities, youth services and programmes as well as resources such as toolkits and grants. Locate these and more available resource for youths and youth-related organisations in our Resource Directory.

Click here to download the M³ Resource Directory. [PDF, 123KB]

Future Ready Toolkit

How can our youth better adapt and thrive in the age of opportunity amidst disruptive developments? The Future Ready Toolkit by MENDAKI, “Log In To The Future”, is a one-stop information repository on the values and competencies youth need to navigate and succeed in the future economy.

Click here to download the Future Ready Toolkit [PDF, 4.3MB]